Will the Olympic venues in Sochi, Russia open on time? Coming down to the wire is what experts are saying with the government promising that venues are scheduled to open on time but still in progress, an admission that things are still not quite complete.
(source: Russia Beyond the Headlines)
As to hotel rooms, the International Olympic Committee says that 97% of promised rooms are still ready, well almost. Occupants can check-in with major furnishings and fixtures complete but workers may be in the final stages with a few finishing touches.
(foto: Sergei nikitskiy.livejournal)
A number of the new hotels in Sochi are foreign owned by well known tourist companies in Europe and the USA.
(foto: Sergei Nikitskiy.livejournal)
Meanwhile the Red Square Classic, a lead-in event to promote the games was held on Red Square and featured teams from the World Curling Tour. The Russian team prevailed over the Canadian curlers 4 to 1.
Given that the curling competition took place on Red Square we feel compelled to note that Red Square is neither red nor square. “Square” is a common English mistranslation of the Russian word for “Plaza” and the term for red comes from the word for “beautiful” so to Russians it is “Beautiful Plaza.” Just thought you’d like to know.
Finally, RT is reporting that one ski jump platform in Sochi was constructed too high and is a danger to competitors so officials are scrambling to adjust the height after trials injured an Olympian from Norway.
